Chapter 628: Brutal Rotten Bone Crocodile

"Oh no, a third-tier talisman!"

Mo Caiyun had been keeping a close eye on the opponent's movements. When she saw the bald strongman pull out a black talisman, her expression changed drastically.

"Die!"

The bald strongman flung his right hand. With a reluctant gaze, the black talisman shot out and flew towards the opposite side. He would not have been willing to use this third-tier talisman if Mo Caiyun and the others' attacks hadn't been so strong.

Boom!

A deafening roar erupted! A black orb of light, over thirty zhang in diameter, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, engulfing Mo Caiyun and her fourteen companions, completely sealing them off. The enormous roar intertwined with dazzling black lightning, and a powerful wave of air swept in all directions, kicking up large amounts of sand. The strong airflow snapped several coconut trees, and more than a dozen millstone-sized stones were swept into the air by the powerful blast before falling heavily.

A triumphant expression appeared on the bald strongman's face. A second-tier formation couldn't possibly block a third-tier talisman.

After three breaths, the black orb dissipated, revealing a light blue barrier that enveloped Mo Caiyun and her companions. A giant blue bowl, emitting astonishing spiritual energy, floated above their heads. Several tiny cracks marred the surface of the blue bowl.

As Wang Qingjing was Wang Changsheng's daughter, it was unthinkable that she wouldn't possess a proto-artifact. This Tide Cloud Bowl was a defensive proto-artifact with formidable defensive power.

Wang Qingjing, a sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, had used eighty percent of her spiritual power to activate the proto-artifact. She took out a blue pill and swallowed it, and her pale complexion slowly regained its color.

The second-tier Spirit Recovery Pill (Huiyuan Dan) could quickly restore spiritual power. It was a pill refined by Wang Qingqi based on an ancient formula, offering effects similar to the Spirit Restoration Pills (Huiling Dan) commonly found on the market.

The Wang family was now largely self-sufficient. Most of the pills, magical tools, and talismans used by Wang family cultivators came from within the family, with only a small portion procured from other forces. This self-sufficiency was a hallmark of their independence.

They had blocked the third-tier talisman's attack, but all twenty-eight second-tier puppet beasts were now rendered useless.

"A proto-artifact! You actually possess a proto-artifact!"

The bald strongman was momentarily stunned, then his eyes burned with avarice. A proto-artifact alone was worth at least 200,000 spirit stones; they had clearly found a lucrative target.

Without another word, he sat down cross-legged and pulled out a light blue talisman with a small blue sword drawn on it – clearly a talisman treasure (fubao). With his eighth-level Foundation Establishment cultivation, it wouldn't take long to activate the talisman treasure. While a proto-artifact could block a single attack from a low-grade third-tier talisman, it absolutely couldn't withstand the attack of a talisman treasure.

Three of the enemy Foundation Establishment cultivators fully controlled their formation, strengthening their defenses. The remaining three either released spirit beasts or unleashed magical tools, launching attacks at Mo Caiyun and her group.

Naturally, Mo Caiyun and her companions wouldn't allow their enemies to succeed. Mo Caiyun, Wang Qingjing, and Zhao Zheng each deployed two high-grade second-tier puppet beasts. Wang Qiuyan deployed two mid-grade second-tier puppet beasts, and the ten Qi Condensation cultivators each deployed one low-grade second-tier puppet beast, totaling ten.

The eighteen second-tier puppet beasts each unleashed spells to attack the opponents. The six high-grade second-tier puppet beasts delivered immense damage; their colorful spiritual light spells struck the yellow barrier, causing it to twist and deform, and significantly widening the cracks on the formation disk.

"Quickly set up a new defensive formation!"

Just as they made a move, dazzling spiritual light flared from the mouths of the six high-grade second-tier puppet beasts. Six light beams, each about a zhang in diameter, shot out and struck the yellow barrier.

Boom!

A deafening roar erupted as the yellow barrier shattered, and colorful spiritual light spells engulfed the bodies of the seven evil cultivators. After unleashing this attack, the six high-grade second-tier puppet beasts had also exhausted the spiritual energy within their spirit stones and would require new spirit stones to be operated again.

The time it took to replace the spirit stones was enough for Mo Caiyun and her two companions to each deploy five second-tier puppet beasts and unleash various spiritual light spells to attack the enemies. Roaring sounds intensified as various spiritual light spells intersected, and thick smoke billowed. The twenty-eight second-tier puppet beasts continuously unleashed spells to attack the enemies. Crimson fire blades, azure light swords, yellow light beams, and various other spells struck the opponents, kicking up clouds of dust, and powerful air currents surged forth.

After a short quarter of an hour, the puppet beasts had depleted the spiritual energy in their spirit stones, and only then did Wang Qingjing and her group cease their attacks. Soon after, the spiritual light dissipated, revealing a pile of mangled flesh scattered across the beach. Dismembered limbs were strewn everywhere, and not a single body remained intact.

Witnessing this scene, Mo Caiyun and the others collectively let out a long sigh of relief. Their victory this time was attributed first to possessing a proto-artifact, and second to their numerous second-tier puppet beasts. They won due to their strong foundation and resources.

Wang Qingjing performed a hand seal, and the giant blue bowl rapidly shrank, flying back into her sleeve and disappearing. She noticed several tiny cracks on the blue porcelain bowl and furrowed her brow slightly. A proto-artifact was, after all, still a proto-artifact; there was a clear difference between it and a true magical artifact. Besides, had it been a true magical artifact, she wouldn't have been able to wield it.

After dealing with the evil cultivators' bodies, they found a spot on the island to meditate and recover their spiritual power. After a short half-hour, a green flying boat departed from the island, heading towards Sea Cucumber Island.

***

Eastern Barren Lands, Yellow Maple Mountain Range.

In a certain patch of green bamboo forest, a green bamboo plant suddenly glowed with a burst of azure light, revealing a medium-built young man in a green robe. He was an eighth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, and a trace of fear was visible in his eyes.

"Was that an illusion? Never mind, a disciple of the Taiyi Immortal Sect is here; it's better to leave quickly." the young man in green muttered to himself.

Just then, a faint muffled sound came from underground. "Oh no!" The young man in green's expression changed, and he quickly retreated.

A crisp bird cry echoed from high above. A giant green condor descended from the sky, carrying two men and one woman on its back: Wang Mingren, Wang Qingling, and Wang Qiuming.

"Chen Feng, you harmed fellow disciples. I am ordered to apprehend you. If you know what's good for you, surrender immediately." Wang Mingren said coldly.

"Nonsense about harming fellow disciples! He tried to kill me because of his status; am I not allowed to resist? If there's no place for me here, there are other places for me." The young man in green said, then quickly ran towards a bamboo plant, intending to use a wood-element escape technique to flee.

Just then, the ground suddenly cracked open, and two giant crocodiles burst out from underground. Their blood-red mouths lunged towards Chen Feng. Chen Feng's expression changed drastically. He raised his hands, and countless green vines shot out from his sleeves, quickly coiling around the crocodiles' mouths.

With a dragon's roar and a phoenix's cry, a crimson fire dragon and a crimson fire phoenix descended from the sky. Wang Mingren immediately unleashed his natal magical tool, intending to end the battle quickly. Wang Qingling released her Golden-Spotted Flame Insects. Hundreds of them converged to form a crimson fire blade, which then slashed towards Chen Feng. Wang Qiuming deployed six golden flying knives, which flew from both sides to attack Chen Feng.

With three Foundation Establishment cultivators, along with spirit beasts and spirit insects, Chen Feng was overwhelmed. Wang Qingling seized an opportunity: the two crocodiles burst out from underground and lightning-fast bit down on Chen Feng's legs. With a mighty tear, Chen Feng was ripped in half, and a large spray of blood flew out.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Mingren, they used too much force. He should still be identifiable if we piece him together." Wang Qingling said, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.

Wang Mingren glanced at Chen Feng, torn in half by the crocodiles, and forced a wry smile. He offered reassurance, "I suppose so! I hope his identity token isn't lost. But next time, Qingling, please don't release these two Bone-Rotting Crocodiles. Their strength is simply too immense; they often dismember wanted criminals, making them difficult to identify."

"Okay, I definitely won't release them next time. They were probably just starving."

After dealing with Chen Feng's corpse, they quickly left the area.